The Pioneer football team earned its first victory under new coach Eric Perry on Sept. 10, but it wasn’t easy.

The Mustangs, who lost their season opener the week before 34-7 to Archbishop Mitty, bounced back nicely and shut down visiting North Salinas 12-7.

Junior Curtis Tanquary provided the winning margin for Pioneer with just 2:03 left in the game, taking a screen pass from quarterback Dillon Borrego in the left flat and dashing up the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown. A try for a two-point conversion failed, setting the stage for a final stand by Pioneer’s stout defense.

North Salinas (0-2) started its final drive at its own 30-yard line and reached the Pioneer 41 before turning the ball over on downs. The Mustangs then ran out the clock with a couple of quarterback kneel-downs.

Pioneer, which will complete its non-league schedule against visiting Terra Nova on Sept. 17, 7 p.m., marched up and down the field in the first half but had just a pair of field goals from junior Mike Simonini to show for it.

A 21-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 28-yarder in the second gave the Mustangs a 6-0 lead at halftime. North Salinas went ahead 7-6 on a 4-yard run and a PAT kick with about four minutes left in the fourth quarter. The short scoring drive was set up when the Vikings blocked a punt and recovered in Pioneer territory.

Junior Devarius Dees was the leading tackler for Pioneer’s defense, rushing in from his free safety position on numerous plays. Senior linebacker Adil Charki also contributed on several stops and had a 40-yard interception return.

After Friday night’s game against Terra Nova, the Mustangs will take a week off before beginning its defense of the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division championship. Pioneer will open the league season against district and neighborhood rival Leland on Oct. 1, 7 p.m.

Tough loss for Leland

The Chargers, who finished a high-scoring first half with a 28-21 lead, managed just six points in the second half against host Sobrato at Live Oak in Morgan Hill and ended up losing a 35-34 heartbreaker.

Sophomore running back Kenny Portera gave Leland a two-score lead in the third quarter with his second short touchdown romp of the night, a 3-yard run. Sobrato, however, rallied and went ahead early in the final period. Fullback Obi Mbonu pushed through for a 1-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-goal play, and the PAT kick gave the Bulldogs the lead for good.

The Chargers (1-1), who were shaken in the second quarter when senior Conor Jones suffered a season- ending injury, had two chances to regain the lead during the final 12 minutes, but Sobrato (2-0) denied them both times. Leland’s final threat was halted by an interception in the end zone with 26 seconds remaining.

Sobrato scored first, but Leland answered with three consecutive touchdowns–a 4-yard run by Portera, an 8-yard scamper by senior Tony Montini and a 53-yard pass play from junior quarterback Jason Habash to senior tight end Michael Reeve. Chris Santini’s 5-yard run and Tim Mclaughlin’s fourth PAT kick of the game put Leland ahead 28-14 in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs added seven more points before intermission.

Leland’s offense gained 415 yards, 244 on the ground and 171 through the air on Habash’s 11 of 19 passing efficiency. Santini was the leading rusher for Leland, earning 71 yards on 12 carries. Portera ran the ball 16 times for 62 yards, Montini collected 25 yards on six runs, Habash picked up 18 on five scrambles and Jones gained 15 on three runs.

Reeve, whose touchdown catch and run was the biggest pass reception for the Chargers, totaled 83 yards on two grabs. Portera had four catches for 54 yards and Santini hauled in three for 23. Sophomores Robert Moffatt and Jack Pizzo caught one ball apiece, Moffatt gaining 10 yards and Pizzo one.

Both Moffatt and Pizzo were big contributors on the defensive side of the ball, Moffatt with six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and Pizzo with five tackles and a forced fumble. Senior linebacker Stephen Economy was the leading tackler with 11, followed by junior linebacker Peter Vassalo and Santini with seven each and Montini with six. Sergio Valencia and Chase Hubbard both recovered fumbles.

Leland returns to action on Sept. 17, 7 p.m., at Gilroy before preparing for the league opener against Pioneer on Oct. 1.

Bruins fall to Moreau

Branham scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns but they were not enough in a 27-14 non-league road loss at Moreau Catholic of Hayward.

The Bruins, who lost 33-0 the previous week against Sequoia of Redwood City, earned their first touchdown of the season on a 38-yard pass from junior quarterback Tom McMahon to sophomore wide receiver Chris McDonough. Later in the fourth, another sophomore, Darren Brown, bolted over from the 1-yard-line and McMahon ran for a two-point conversion.

McMahon finished the game with 237 yards of total offense, 166 passing and 71 rushing on 22 carries. McMahon connected on 11 of his 30 pass attempts, including five to senior Will McCowan for 97 yards and two to sophomore Sean Ahmadi for 31. Pat Appleman gained six yards on two catches.

Juniors Steven Jani and Darnell Sankey led the Bruins defense with 10 tackles apiece. Trevor Cater made six stops and Scott Larson five. Spencer Patel-Ajlouni and Larson each sacked the Moreau quarterback and three Bruins had takeaways. McCowan and Sankey both intercepted passes and senior Adam Sheffield recovered a fumble.

After a week off, Branham will conclude its non-league schedule at Mt. Pleasant on Sept. 24, 7 p.m. The following week the Bruins will travel to Lincoln for a BVAL Santa Teresa Division opener.

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